# Denvi/Candle

GRBL controller application with G-Code visualizer written in Qt.

Repository: https://github.com/Denvi/Candle
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/denvi-candle
Language: C++
License: GPL-3.0
License Family: copyleft
Topics: grbl, gcode-visualizer, linux, visualizer, candle, cnc-machine, heightmap
Last push: 2026-08-25T13:22:05+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 84/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 57, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 4067, "days_push": 8, "days_rel": 205, "gap_med": 37, "n_releases_24m": 6}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1674, forks 606 (observed 2026-08-28T04:05:20.449509+00:00)

## What it is
Candle is a GRBL controller application with a G-Code visualizer written in Qt/C++. It lets users control GRBL-based CNC machines via console commands, buttons, and numpad, monitor machine state, and load, edit, save, send, and visualize G-code files.

## Use cases
- control a GRBL-based CNC machine from my computer
- visualize G-code files before running them on a CNC mill
- send G-code files to a CNC machine over serial
- monitor the state of my CNC machine during a job
- edit and save G-code files with a GUI
- generate and use heightmaps for CNC work
- jog my CNC machine with a numpad or on-screen buttons

## When to choose
- you have a GRBL-based CNC machine (v0.9 or v1.1 firmware) and need a desktop controller
- you want a free, cross-platform (Windows/Linux/macOS/Raspberry Pi OS) G-code sender with visualizer
- you prefer a native Qt GUI over web-based or command-line GRBL senders

## When to avoid
- your CNC runs firmware other than GRBL (e.g., Marlin, Smoothie)
- you need a web-based or headless controller for remote/automated operation
- you require advanced CAM features like toolpath generation rather than sending existing G-code

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: gui, data-visualization, developer-tools
- domain: hardware, desktop-applications
- platform: windows, cross-platform
- tags: grbl, cnc, gcode, gcode-visualizer, qt, heightmap, cnc-machine-control, automation, linux, macos, desktop

## Member repositories
- Denvi/Candle (main) score 84

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:20.449509+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T03:42:30.428606+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/Denvi/Candle (fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:20.449509+00:00, sha 683a9bb32021)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.